Ice-cream machinery



May 417. '1927. y 1,628,941

` G. H, WHITE ICE CREAM MACHINERY Filed April 16. 1921y z sheets-sheet .2

y Ni y www@ Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATESf l 1.628,941 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HALEWHITE, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or coEUMBrA, AssIeNoR To GEORGE P. sAoxs, or BRADLEY HILLs'MARYLANp.

ron-CREAM MACHINERY.

Application ledApril 16,

This invention relates to an improvement in ice cream machinery and particularly to I a means whereby an accurate and predei termined weight of mix may be delivered to the freezer.

It has been heretofore proposed to provide means whereby a predetermined volume of mix may be delivered to the freezer,.the patent to A. Sanna. No, 1,351,302, issued lUAugust 3l, '1920, being an example of this type of device. lVith the production. of a substantially uniform mix, devices of theV patented type referred to are effective in accurately controlling the quantity of mix for delivery to the freezer. Experience has demonstrated however, that it not infrequently happens that there is a difference in the characteristics delivered in successive charges of the device due primarily to the y fact that each-successive charge of the device from the original mix' or batch is appreciably lighter in weight for the. same volume than the preceding charge owing,r to the continued aeration of the batch. Of course, it is well understood that the batch from` which the mix control device receives its successive charges is being continually `aerated, and hence the weight per unit volume of the first charge from such batch will be appreciably 0 greater than the weight per unit volume of the less charge from such batch. .As the type of devices for controlling the mix des livery to the freezer as herein before referred to have been governed entirely by volume` it follows that in those cases Where there is a difference in Weight per unit volume of successive charges, that some of the charges will be of greater than necessary solid content, while others of such charges will be of less thannecessary Weight content. In the commercial manufacture of ice cream, the authorities havewlimitcd they minimum pro}')o`tion of solid content, and it is entirely possible that some of the charges of the volume controlling device will be less ,than

Isuch minimum solid content. It follows necessarily that where continued aeration exists in the batch that practically no two successive charges of the volume controlling device will be of the same weight content, .and i hence as it is desired that all charges be of substantiallythe same weight content, it is of importance that the mix charge begoverned by weight rather than by volume.

Therefore the essential object of the pres- 1921. Serial No. 462,068.

so f

trolled by theweight of the liquid, and while the general principle heretofore proposed is contemplated in the present apparatus, such present apparatus is adapted by specific improvements for the handling of an ice cream mix. These improvements may be ybriefly characterized as a manual means for releasing the content of the weighingl receptacle into the freezer and to combine with this means, a lockingelement, whereby the commodity receptacle will be held in proper discharging relation to the freezer until the discharge means has been closed to out off communication between said receptacle and freezer. Thispermits the single operator to take care of a number' of mix-control devices as having once established communication between the commodity receptacle and the freezer, such communication is maintained until a positive cut off of lthis communication is had by a direct act of the operator.

Thus through a simple movement, the operator may connect the successivemix control devices with the freezers and need give them no further attention until a full discharge is had.

Furthermore thevl invention contemplates a specific valve construction involving a manually adjustable member, whereby thenormal valve stem may be lengthened atwill. This provides for maintaining Ian accurate and desired relation between the end of the Valvel stem andthe commodity receptacle in 'the event the supply pipe should lfor any reason be inaccuratcly placed. Thus within limits. the proper operation may be securedbetween the receptacle and val-ve by'adjusting the valve stem to compensate for 'any irregu-- larity of relative positions. Also, by the adjustment described, the valve may be permitted to cut ott` at different levels of the scommodity receptacle, in order to thereby provide for a variation in the volume within the receptacle independently to a certain extent of the weight of the material within said receptacle. Thus the valve may be adjusted to close immediately following the initial movement of the receptacle after receiving the predetermined weight ot' material, or may be set to close at substantially any other position of the receptacle beyond such minimum valve closing position, so that any predetermined increase of volume, within the limits of the valve adjustment, may be had additionally to that volume required to make up the predetermined weight.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken perspective view showing the improved mix control device in locked and discharging relation with a freezer. i

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the mix control device in normal or` mix receiving position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken elevatiorr showing the combined valve and locking means.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation partly in section showing the. valve for automatically cutting-off the supply of mix to the commodity receptacle.

As will be apparent from the drawing and following description, there is to be provided with each freezer 1, a mix control device to which the mix is delivered from the aerator or mixer through a pipe 2 primarily controlled by a manually operable valve 3.

The mix control device of this invention includes a scale beam 4 pivotally supported at 5 in standards 6 rising from the freezer 1 or from a base as 7 removably or otherwise secured to the freezer. One end of the scale beam is forked providing arms 8, on which through knife trunnions 9, is supported a cominodityreceptacle 10. The receptacle, as will later appear, is designed for limited movement only, and in such Y, movement is guided within uprights 11 rising from the base 7 and .positioned to compel movementof the receptacle in substantially the same plane at all times. The scale beam 4 is movable beyond the pivot 5 and a guide 12 rising from the freezer 1 or other appropriate support and having a forked upper end 13 to which the scale beam is guided. Beyond the guide 12, the beam is suitably Scaled at 14 and provided with a weight 15 slidably adjustable to vary the weight in the usual manner.

The discharge-receptacle l() has an outlet 16 leading' from its lowest point thereof to and through a pipe 17 carried by and movable with the receptacle, which pipe has a depending discharge section 18 adapted- .f when the `receptacle is in its lowermost position, to enteran opening 19 formed in the freezer 1. The opening 19 is preferably surrounded by an upstanding hollow boss in prder that the receptacle discharge may be 1n communication with the freezer notwithstanding slight variations in the position of the receptacle. The discharge pipe section 17 is provided with a valve for controlling the flow therefrom, which valve `of any ordinary type or construction, is desi ned for manual operation through a handle 0. The handle carries a locking rod 21 which extends outwardly from the valve handle and depends intol a position adjacent the discharge end of the pipe, being provided at its lower end with an inturned projection 22. The boss surrounding the opening into the freezer 1 is provided with an exterior lugr 23 beneath which the projection 22 of the locking rod 21 is adapted to engage. The position of the lug 23 is such that the projection 22 will enga-gc beneath said lug when the valve handle is turned toward and into open position, so that as the valve is opened to permit the passage of the material from the receptacle 10 into the freezer, the projection 22, riding beneath the lug 23, will lock the receptacle to the freezer, and hence maintain the receptacle and freezer in this predetermined relation until released by the closing of the valve handle 20.

The feed pipe 2 depends below the valve 3 to position within the commodity receptacle 10, the lower cnd'of this pipe extension, indicated at 24, terminating some distance above the lowermost or discharge position of the commodity yreceptacle. The lower end of the feed pipe extension 24 is provided with a valve 25 operating preferably from within the pipe land seated against the valve seat 26 formed at the lower end of?` the pipe to close the discharge end of the pipe. The valve 25 has the usual extension 27 projectingr through the discharge opening ot' the pipe to guide the valve in movement and is additionally formed with a stem 28 on which is adjustably mounted an auxiliary stem 29. The stem 29 is slidably connected to the stem 28 as by a slide colla1.30, and may be set in adjusted positions lengthllo wise the stem 28 by a set screw 31 carried by the collar 3() and engaging the stem 28.

With the parts arranged as shown particularly in Fig. 2` it will be noted that the weight 15 overbalancing the receptacle causes the latter to move upwardly and to engage the stem 28 of the valve or the auxiliary stem if the latter has been adjusted :to project below the stem 28. and therefore open the valve 25. The valve 3 having been previously opened, the material will find its wa)1 from the batch mixer into the commodity l receptacle 10, and will continue to flow until the predetermined weight. indicated by the adjustment of the weight element l5 on thev scale beam, has been delivered to the recepltacle 10. `As the receptacle overbalancee,

it will move downwardly until finally positioning the discharge pipe within the opening to the freezer. The downward movement of the commodity receptacle is necessarily to an extent to move below the possible limit of the valve stem 28 or auxiliary stem 29, in order to thereby permit the valve 25 to be closed, both by its own weight and by the weight of the material behind it in the pipe, to cut oi Ithe further discharge of material into the receptacle 10. -The operator desiring to charge the freezer,

opens the valve by manipulating the handle and simultaneously with and as an automatic result of the opening of such valve,-

locks the commodity receptacle to the freezer.

`Vrlhis position will be maintained until `the full contents of the commoditv receptacle have been delivered to the freezer, as the commoditiy receptacle is locked in position,

and cannot move upwardly .notwithstanding to diminution in weight due to loss of con-' tents. The operator desiring a further predetermined weight of mix in the freezer sim-` ply closes the valvehandle 20, thus releasing the receptacle which being overbalanced by the Weight relement 15, moves upwardly to again open the valve opening and .repeat the operation just described.

The advantage of the automatic ,locking means controlled solely in the movement of and through thel position of lthe discharge valve handle is of importancei'as it permits an operator` to take care of a large number of" machines as he may simply pass from one to another, locking the loaded commodity receptacles to the vfreezer andthe discharge intothe freezer will continue without further attention on his part, the requirementkfor additional material to the vfreezer' being simply mtby moving the valve handle 20 to a closed position, which releases the lock and permits the commodity receptacle to return to a charging position. Thus beyond the control of the valve 20, the devicev 'from the` construction described, that'the .receptacle moves downwardly slightly be. fore the predetermined weight of material is within'the receptacle, for the reason-that the receptacle. will move 'a small distance before theval've 25 will 'be permitted to completely close. It now the unit volume of one mix charge is slightlyvvheavier than a similar unitvolume of a succeeding mix charge, it. follows that a slightly greater proportion of material must vbe delivered .depressed/position, a valve controlling'said 'cluding a scale beam having an Vadjustable into the commodity receptacle inthe lighter unit volume charge than in the heavier unit volume charge. Therefore, the valve 2t) under these conditions connot be ermitted to close exactly the same volume ot material after the receptacle has started its initial downward movement. Hence the adjustable valve is provided in order that where a lighter material per unit volume is handled, the valve may beheld open for a slightly longer period following the initial downward movement of the commoditiy receptacle, sol that the additional volume thus provided makes up the requisite weight.

It will be readily apparent from the above description, that the 1m roved mix char e control-device is governe entirel by weig t andhence the solid content o each and every mix charge is substantially identical'. Thus the due proportions of solids required by the health authorities can be introduced into each mix charge with absolute certainty and without substantial variation.

Claims l. T he combination with an ice cream freezcr of a mix. control device. including a receptacle and= a scale beam to one end of y which said receptacle is connected, a feed pipe leading into said receptacle, means conH trolled by the position of the receptacle for governing the supply from the feed )ipe to the` receptacle, a discharge pipe lea ing from rthe receptacle, a manually operable vvalve in said pipe, the freezer being formed with an opening-to receive the discharge pipe when the commodity receptacle is de ressed, and means operated inthe opening move-f ment of the manually' operable valve when the receptacle is depressed tov lock the receptacle to the freezer'. 2. The combination with an ice cream freezer `having an opening of a -mix charge.

control device including a receptacle .anda

scale 4beam to one end of which said receptacle is connected. a discharge member from. said-receptacle cooperating with the opening in` the freezer when the receptacle is in lil) pipe, a' locking'rod movable with the valve and having a` projection, and a lug carried U5 by the freezer beneath which said proj6e' tioir is adapted to ride'in the opemn of the-valve, whereby `in the discharge j o fthe material from the receptacle to the freezer said parts are locked against separation. i 3. The combination With anice cream freezer of a mix charge control apparatus inweight at one end, a commodity rece' tacle at the other end of-said beam, a discharge from said receptacle leading tothe freez'ei'g.' controlling means for said discharge.- an automatic lock v, r,overn`e d in the' opening" movement of the controlling means when the receptacle is depressed to relatively vfix the 1"" receptacle and f reezer during the discharge, a material feed pipe leading within the receptacle, a. valve controlling the outlet of said pipe, said valve being positioned to be opened when the. receptacle is in elevated position to admit a charge of material to said receptacle and permitted to assume closed position when said receptacle is in depressed position to eut olf the suppl)` of material, and means for varying thc operative length of the valve stem.

4. The combination with an icc cream 'freezer of a mixl charge control apparatus including a scale bealn having an adjustable weight at one end. a commodity receptacle yat the other end of said beanl.- a discharge The combination with an ice cream freezer of a mix charge'control apparatus including a scale beam having an adjustable weight at oneend` a commodity receptacle at the other end of said beam` a discharge from said receptacle leading to the freezer, controlling means Ifor said discharge, an automatic lock governed in the movement of the controlling means to relatively fix the rece. tacle and freezer durine` the discharge a material'pfeed pipe leading within the receptacle, a valve controlling the outlet of said pipe, said valve having a depending stem to cooperate with the bottom of the receptacle for the control of the valve` in the movement of the receptacle. said stem including an adjustable auxiliary-stem.

6.\The combination with an ice cream freezer of a mix control device, including a receptacle responsive to a predetermined weight o f material therein to movetoward the ice cream freezer, a feed pipe for `material to be delivered to the receptacle. Vmeans for preventing delivery of material `through the feed pipe as the receptacle moves toward the freezer. a' manually operable valve for controlling the delivery of material from the receptacle tothe freezer. and means operated in the opening movement of said valve to'hold the receptacle in discharge re lation, to the freezer.

7; The vcombination with an ice crean'r freezer of a mix controldevice, including a receptacle responsive a predetermined the ice cream freezer, a feed pipe for material to be delivered tothe receptacle` means for preventing delivery of material through the feed pipe as the receptacle moves toward the freezer, a manually operable valve for controlling the delivery of material from the receptacle to the freezer, and means operated in the movement of said valve in one direction to hold the receptacle in discharge relation to the freezer.

8. The combination with an ice cream freezer of a valve controlled feeding means for the material to be frozen, a receptacle movable from an operative receiving relation to the feeding means to an operative discharge relation :to the freezer, a counter weight normally holding the receptacle in operative receiving relation to the feeding means, a Ipredeteri'nined weight of material in the receptacle overcoming said counter weight and movingy the receptacle from an operative receiving relation to the feeding means to an operative discharge relation to the freezer, the valve controlled feeding means being automatically governed by and in thc movement of the receptacle, manually operable means for interlocking the receptacle and fieezer to hold the receptacle in discharge relation to the freezer and a valve controlling the discharge from the receptacle to the freezer, said interlocking means and valve being 'connected for simultaneous movement to open the valve when the means' is connected to interlock the receptacle vand freezer, and to close the valve when the means is connected to disconnect the receptacle and freezer.

- 9. The combination with an ice cream freezer of a valve controlled feeding means forthe material to be frozen, a rece taclc movable from an operative receiving re ation to the feeding means to an operative discharge relation to the freezer,` a counter' `weight normally holding the receptacle in 'operative receiving relation to the feeding means, a predetermined weight of material in the receptacle overcoming said counter weight and moving the receptacle from an operative receiving relation to feeding means to an operative discharge relation lto the freezer, the valve controlled feeding means being automatically governed by and in the movement of the receptacle, a valve for c ontrolling the discharge from the receptacle to the freezer and amanually operable locking member carried by the receptacle and adapted, toengage and interlock the freezer to hold the receptaclein discharge relation ,to the freezer, said locking member and valve being connected to compel opening movement of the valve @when the locking member is operated to'function as such and a closing movementcof the valve when the locking member is operated to disconnect the receptacle and freezer.

10. The combination with an ice cream freezer, of a movable material receptacle, means `for normally holding the receptacle in a predetermined position, said receptacle moving from such predetermined position to an operative discharge relation to the freezer under a Weight of contained material suflicient to overcome said vholding means, means whereby material may be delivered to the receptacle when the latter is in such predetermined position, and means to be operated for holding the receptacle in discharge relation to the freezer at will, whereby the receptacle with a required weight ol' material will moveinto discharge rela- 'tion to the freezer and may be held in such discharge relation for any period wholly without regard to the absence of such material due to the discharge thereof into the freezer.

1l. The combination with an icecream freezer, of a movable material receptacle, means for normally holding the receptacle in a predetermined position, said receptacle moving from such predetermined position loan operative discharge relation to the freezer under a Weight of contained material suiiicient to overcome said holding means, means whereby material may be delivered to the receptacle when the latter is in such predetermined position, cut off means to be operated to control the delivery or non-delivery of the material from the receptacle to the freezer, and means operated in the operation of the cnt off means for holding the receptacle in discharge relation to the freezer while the cut off means is open and in releasingl the receptacle from discharge relation to the freezer when the cut off means is closed. Y

12. The combination With an ice cream freezer, of a receptacle movably mounted on the freezer, means for feeding material to the receptacle, means for normally holding the receptacle in operative receiving relation to the feeding means, a discharge conduit leading from the receptacle, said receptacle under a predetermined weight of material overcoming the holding means and moving to a position to arrange the dischargeiconduit in operative discharge relation to the freezer, a valve controlling said discharge conduit and means carried by the valve adapted 'when the valve is open to tix the receptacle in discharge relation to the freezer and maintain it in such relation while the valve is open.

ln testimony whereof I aiix my Signature.

GEORGE HALL WHITE. 

